Dear David Cameron,
As entrepreneurs, investors, economists, scientists, engineers, energy providers, community builders and Members of Parliament, we are increasingly concerned about the lack of clarity around the future of government support for land based renewables, such as solar, wind and biogas.
In wind alone, the UK has more than 40% of Europe’s renewable energy resources – enough to power up our economy 3 to 4 times over, generate exports, and provide the tools for communities and entrepreneurs to do their job.
Bringing energy supply and demand together, a decentralised energy market can make real efficiencies in costs associated with our antiquated infrastructure and transmission loss, deliver savings for tax payers and provide frustrated investors with new opportunities.
In the on-going review of renewable energy support, we ask that the Government recognises the importance of simple and accessible Feed-in Tariff policies, to guarantee the broadest possible ownership of the UK’s next generation of energy infrastructure.
The new National Planning Policy Framework, in its current form, does not recognise the huge value of this approach that has been proven successful year-on-year by Germany, where community and large scale energy farms have delivered a 25% cost reduction, taking electricity bills down to 2008 levels.
A planning system that does recognise the value of a move to local energy is badly overdue and must be preferred to ripping up a system and leaving all sides uncertain.
We urge you to ensure that planning inspectors know that the future of the low carbon economy is at stake and our collective needs, both local and national, must be taken into account.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Branson sends letter to David Cameron on renewable energy
New heat pump installation standard comes into force tomorrow
A new and improved standard for heat pump installations comes into force tomorrow(March 1st). Issue 3 of the MIS3005 standard, which is part of the MCS guidlines for the installation of heat pump systems, is desingd to tighten up the way in which heat pumps are desinged and installed.
The new standard requires that installers carry out more rigourous design calcualtions in order to ensure that the installed system meets the needs of the client. A recent study by the Energy Savings Trust showed that many heat pump installations we not performing as expected. This new standard has been designed by the heat pump industry to overcome many of the common problems encountered in the trial.
The key areas of improvement cover:
- Building heat loss calculations have to be carried out to EN 12831 to establish the correct size of heat pump system for the application and the heat pump must meet 100% of the design load.
- Ground collectors for GSHP systems have to be designed using a methodolgy that takes into account building energy demand and local geology.
- The heat emitters (radiators, under floor heating) have to be considered when calcualting the likely system performance. To make this simple to understand a new look up table forms part of the standard.
There are a number of aother areas in whcih the standard has been tightened up. Hopefully this will mean that future heat pump installations really deliver on the promise of low carbon and reduced running costs. As one of the most experienced heat pump installers in the UK Econic (part of the Myriad CEG group) welcomes the introduction of this new standard. www.myriadceg.com/heat-pumps
Court of Appeal outcome will be known by 9th February 2012
Court of Appeal outcome will be known by 9th February 2012
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has now put before Parliament its ‘Plan B’: an order to lower solar PV Feed-in Tariffs with effect from 3rd March 2012. The outcome of the DECC’s appeal of last month’s Judicial Review will be known by 9th February 2012. Should DECC lose the appeal, then the higher rates will apply until 3rd March 2012. If DECC wins, then it will be able to continue with its consultation, and implement the decisions made.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:
“I know this is a difficult time for the sector and I want to do as much as I can to end the current uncertainty created by the legal challenge.
We must reduce the level of FITs for solar panels as quickly as possible, to protect consumer bills and to avoid bust in the whole Feed-in Tariff budget. We’re appealing against the court ruling that’s challenged our proposal for a December reference date. This remains our aim, and we are waiting for the judgment of the Court of Appeal. But this is too important for us to sit and do nothing while we wait. Today we’re putting in place a contingency that will bring a 21p rate into effect from April for installations from 3 March.
However, we are still pressing ahead with our appeal and if successful, we retain the option of introducing a December reference date. In the circumstances we believe this gives the industry as much certainty as is possible. And it puts us in a better position to protect the budget for everyone involved.”
If you have any concerns or would like to discuss any aspect of your PV project, please contact lee.baxter@myriadceg.com or telephone 0203 056 0875
GOVERNMENT MINISTER SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR THE UK BIOMASS INDUSTRY
GOVERNMENT MINISTER SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR THE UK BIOMASS INDUSTRY
The Energy Minister, Charles Hendry MP, has reinforced Government support for the UK biomass industry and highlighted its importance as a proven, practical and secure part of a sustainable energy mix.
At a Westminster reception, organised by the Back Biomass campaign, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a significant ramping up of biomass electricity, heat and CHP. He also stated that the Government is well on the way to tackling financial and non-financial barriers to achieving their ambitious targets.
The Back Biomass campaign is an industry-led initiative designed to promote awareness and understanding of the merits of biomass as proven, practical, secure source of low-carbon energy and has gained widespread support since its launch in July.
Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP said:
“I want to state that biomass is a huge opportunity for the UK. It can bring us clean electricity and heat, greater energy security, economic development in both rural and urban areas, and new green jobs. It is one of the major new growth opportunities that can help the UK economy out of recession.”
“The Government’s bio-energy strategy… will be published in the New Year. This work confirms the key importance of sustainably-sourced energy from biomass in meeting the UK’s legally binding carbon reduction targets for 2050. In fact it confirms that without bio-energy it will not be possible to meet those targets.”
To read the REA article containing REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell’s comments please click:-
http://www.r-e-a.net/news/energy-minister-signals-support-for-the-uk-biomass-industry
Appeal lodged by Government
On Wednesday 4th January 2012 the government lodged an appeal against a High Court judge’s ruling that its proposed cuts to solar power subsidies were `legally flawed’. It is argued that the cuts were essential to encourage as many homeowners as possible to install renewable energy and it has been stated that the judge’s ruling was premature, as the final decision to cut the solar subsidies had not been taken at the time.
The proposed cuts have caused great concern within the PV industry that fear that the speed of the changes could threaten thousands of jobs. However, Ministers argue that without an urgent reduction in the current tariffs, the budget for the scheme would be severely depleted and there would be very little available for future solar PV generators, or for other technologies.
The group’s head of campaigns, Andrew Pendleton, said: “Trying to appeal the high court’s ruling is an expensive waste of taxpayers’ money. The government must expand the scheme – with all the tax revenue the scheme generates, this can be done at no extra cost to bill payers. Ministers should end business uncertainty and protect jobs with a clear plan to reduce payments from February – in line with falling installation costs.”
Climate minister Greg Bark has tweeted “Timing up to Courts but hope to resolve well before the end of the month.”
Judicial Review – Case is won against government on solar
Judicial Review – Case is won against government on solar
The results of a judicial review decision have declared that the pre 12th December 2011 tariffs cannot be changed until after the full parliamentary process has been carried out. This entails an 8 week consultation, followed by a review of the responses and then a 40 day period before the legislation takes effect. However, this is unless the Government wins an appeal. Despite not being given leave to appeal, the Government may put a case forward before the deadline of 4th January 2012.
The outcomes for consideration are:-
- Should the Government win an appeal – We will return to the current situation i.e. there is a consultation ongoing, and a domestic system can expect to earn 21p (or whatever government concludes after the consultation) from 1st April 2012.
- Should the government be unable to appeal, or if it loses on appeal – The 43p tariff remains in place until the Parliamentary process has concluded (expected to be 1st April 2012).
Myriad CEG will continue to monitor the situation and further updates will be posted.
The public show their support for renewable energy
YouGov and the Sunday Times have recently conducted a poll which has revealed an encouraging response from the public in support for renewable energy, in particular, solar power.
In an online poll, 1,696 people were asked to convey their thoughts and opinions on current issues which included topics such as; the coalition government, striking, transport matters and renewable energy. Unsurprisingly, the results painted a bleak picture of the political and economic state of the country but encouragingly a great deal of support was received for the renewable energy industry, especially solar power.
A staggering 74% of those surveyed believed that the Government should increase the use of solar power to meet the nation’s future energy requirements and 56% gave their support for wind power, indicating that they would be happy to see an increase in wind farms.
36% indicated their support for nuclear energy, 16% for coal and only 10% would support oil.
To view the full results please click on the link:
